Henry E. Parker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry E. Parker
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Parker in 1976
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| Connecticut State Treasurer | |
| In office January 8, 1975 – February 3, 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Alden A. Ives |
| Succeeded by | Joan R. Kemler |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Henry Ellsworth Parker
February 14, 1928 Baltimore, Maryland, US |
| Died | September 29, 2018 (aged 90) New Haven, Connecticut, US |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | Hampton Institute (BS) Southern Connecticut State University (MS) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Nickname | Hank |
Henry Ellsworth Parker (born February 14, 1928 – died September 29, 2018) was an important American politician. He served as the Connecticut State Treasurer from 1975 to 1986. This means he managed the state's money for 11 years.
His time as treasurer was the second longest in modern history. Only Denise Nappier served longer, for 20 years. Henry Parker was also the second African American to be elected treasurer in Connecticut. After he ran in 1974, the Democratic Party in Connecticut has always chosen an African American for this role. Parker also ran for mayor of New Haven three times.
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Early Life and Education
Henry Parker was born on February 14, 1928, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up with five brothers and sisters. His family faced tough times during the Great Depression.
He was a talented athlete at Frederick Douglass High School. He was the captain of both the football and basketball teams. He was also the student council president. After high school, he joined the United States Army and served in the Korean War.
After his military service, Parker went to the Hampton Institute. He earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1956. He later received a Master of Science degree in education from Southern Connecticut State University in 1965.
Community Work in New Haven
In 1959, Parker moved to New Haven, Connecticut. He became the director of the city's first community school. He became well-known in the 1960s for organizing community events.
In 1967, he started and led the Black Coalition of New Haven. This group helped give a stronger voice to African American communities.
Political Career and State Treasurer Role
Henry Parker decided to run for the elected office of Connecticut State Treasurer in 1974. He won the election by a large number of votes. He officially started his job on January 8, 1975.
As the state's chief financial officer, Parker was in charge of Connecticut's money. This included a large pension fund for state workers. He also managed state agencies that helped with housing, pollution control, and business growth.
Improving State Finances
Parker made important changes to how the state's money was invested. He helped reduce big losses in the pension fund. In one year, he cut the state's borrowing by a huge amount. He also created a program to help people get home mortgages in cities.
He wrote an article in New York Times in 1979. In it, he explained how the state treasury could encourage banks to be more responsible. This is known as corporate social responsibility.
Re-elections and Key Initiatives
Parker was re-elected as State Treasurer in 1978 and again in 1982. He worked with governors Ella Grasso and William A. O'Neill.
He led a special group called the Governor's Task Force on South Africa. This group helped create the first anti-apartheid laws in the nation. These laws were against the unfair system of racial separation in South Africa.
Parker also helped lead the effort to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a state holiday in Connecticut in 1976. This happened seven years before it became a national holiday.
Later Career
Parker ran for New Haven mayor for a third time in 1979, but he did not win. The first Black mayor of New Haven, John C. Daniels, was elected in 1989.
On February 3, 1986, Parker left his job as State Treasurer. He became a senior vice president at a company in New York City. He retired from this job in 1997. In 2010, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP.
Personal Life
Henry Parker married Janette Johnson in 1959. They had two children, Janet and Curtis. Henry Parker passed away on September 29, 2018. His wife, Janette, survived him.
